Strictly speaking, in nearly half a year, Jiang Yun only advanced two Realms, from Tongmai Realm fifth level to Tongmai Realm seventh level.
The reason for slowing down his Realm advancement was partly to solidify his Realm, and partly because he finally realized that after opening the sixth Meridian, although the Impurities in the seventh Meridian had become extremely tiny, opening it would be much more difficult.
Simply put, Jiang Yun could open the first six Meridians in an instant, in one go, but opening the seventh Meridian took him a full half a month.
Although this speed was unimaginable for any other Cultivator—even for those with extraordinary Aptitude, it was normal to spend several months or even years to cross the watershed of the sixth level—Jiang Yun still felt it was slow.
However, he was not surprised by this, because since all Cultivators regarded Tongmai Realm sixth level as a watershed, there must be a reason for it.
Especially after entering Tongmai Realm seventh level, he found that stabilizing this Realm was not an easy task, so Jiang Yun did not continue to open his Meridians.
Fortunately, whether it was repeatedly confronting Fang Yuxuan during the minor competition, or single-handedly killing nearly thirty Vicious Beasts in the Trapped Beast Forest, it finally allowed his Tongmai Realm seventh level Realm to completely stabilize.
Now he naturally had to start to attack the eighth Meridian and make himself even stronger!
Another three days passed, and Jiang Yun looked within himself; the eighth Meridian was only one-quarter open, and the Medicinal Pill effect of the two Qi Induction Pills had already disappeared.
Withdrawing his gaze from within, Jiang Yun frowned, looking at the air and muttering to himself, "Even if the Medicinal Pill effect of these Qi Induction Pills is increased threefold, the amount of Spiritual Qi drawn by even two of them combined is still too little!"
"If only the Medicinal Pill effect could be increased even more!"
This thought made Jiang Yun shake his head self-deprecatingly; for the black stone to increase the Medicinal Pill effect threefold was already extremely rare, and he was still not satisfied, which was truly too greedy.
However, suddenly, a thought appeared in his mind, and his eyes lit up as he said, "Although the stone turning into water can only increase the Medicinal Pill effect threefold, this Qi Induction Pill was originally just a first-Rank Mortal Medicinal Pill. A threefold increase in Medicinal Pill effect would, at most, only reach the Human Medicinal Pill level. But if it were a first-Rank Heaven Medicinal Pill, and its Medicinal Pill effect were increased threefold again, wouldn't that meet my requirements?"
In Mang Mountain, although Jiang Yun was proficient in Alchemy, his Master had not told him about the Rank distinctions of Medicinal Pills. It was only after coming to Wen Dao Sect, in the Scripture Pavilion, that Jiang Yun finally learned that the Medicinal Pills consumed by Cultivators had a very detailed nine-Rank, four-tier distinction.
The nine Ranks classify the corresponding Rank based on the type of Medicinal Pill; the four tiers, on the other hand, divide the same type of Medicinal Pill into Heaven, Earth, Human, and Mortal sub-tiers based on their different Medicinal Pill effects after being refined.
For example, the Qi Induction Pill belongs to a first-Rank Medicinal Pill, and the Qi Induction Pill that Sha Jingshan gave Jiang Yun had a very poor Medicinal Pill effect, belonging to the worst Mortal Medicinal Pill.
"But where can I get a first-Rank Heaven Medicinal Pill?" Jiang Yun gently tapped his head, and after a moment, a look of joy appeared on his face as he said, "It's better to rely on oneself than on others. I can completely refine it myself; it's just that I don't have the Materials at hand. However, these Materials should be easy to obtain; there must be plenty in the Trapped Beast Forest!"
Thinking of this, Jiang Yun immediately jumped up, pushed open the door, and first went to Dongfang Bo and Second Senior Sister's rooms. Finding that they still hadn't returned, he quietly turned around with a hint of disappointment, walked down Hidden Peak, and prepared to go to the Trapped Beast Forest again.
On the peak of Sword Dao Peak, Wei Zhengyang, as the Peak Master, looked at Fang Yuxuan, who stood bowing before him, and a hint of hatred appeared on his seemingly benevolent face.
He hated not Fang Yuxuan, but Jiang Yun!
Although Fang Yuxuan looked unharmed at this moment, Wei Zhengyang knew better than anyone that his beloved Disciple's heart already had an unresolved Heart Demon!
This Heart Demon came from the blurry figure that appeared in the substitute talisman burned by Jiang Yun; strictly speaking, it was the sword strike casually swung by the blurry figure!
Although Fang Yuxuan's Aptitude could not be called astonishing, he indeed had a strong talent in Sword Cultivation, and his future prospects were limitless.
However, that blurry figure's sword strike truly frightened Fang Yuxuan, who was also a Sword Cultivator, causing fear to arise in his heart, and even a slight wavering in the Dao of Sword he pursued.
One must know that a Sword Cultivator emphasizes unyielding spirit and forging ahead bravely. Once fear enters the heart, how can one continue to forge ahead!
What's more, for Cultivators, no matter which Dao they pursue, once a Heart Demon forms, when they attempt to break through to a higher Realm in the future, this Heart Demon is highly likely to transform into a Heart Demon, not only hindering the Realm breakthrough but even posing a threat to their life.
Therefore, Wei Zhengyang hated Jiang Yun even more than Fang Yuxuan, and naturally was very anxious to help Fang Yuxuan resolve his Heart Demon.
Gently rubbing his brow, Wei Zhengyang reined in the hatred on his face and spoke softly, "Yuxuan, don't mind that sword strike, and don't think about it. Let go of all burdens and wholeheartedly pursue your Dao of Sword!"
"Yes!"
Although he agreed verbally, Fang Yuxuan's handsome face showed no sign of relief, clearly indicating that he could not truly let go.
After a pause, Wei Zhengyang spoke again, "From today onwards, you will go to the Sword Cave for secluded cultivation. As for other matters, I, your Master, will naturally handle them for you."
Upon hearing the words "Sword Cave," Fang Yuxuan's body trembled slightly, and a hint of joy finally appeared on his face. He quickly cupped his fists and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Master!"
Then, Wei Zhengyang waved his hand and tossed Fang Yuxuan a jade bottle, saying, "Your sword now has a sword-like form, and you have touched the threshold of Sword Intent. Inside are a few Sword Intent Medicinal Pills. I hope that during this secluded cultivation, you can truly comprehend Sword Intent! Once you succeed, then after you emerge from seclusion, I will report to the Sect Master and have you become a Legacy Disciple!"
Fang Yuxuan clutched the jade bottle, suddenly looked up, and his joy had spread across his entire face!
"Xuan'er, you must remember, right now, you are the foremost Inner Sect Disciple of my Wen Dao Sect. In the future, you may become the Peak Master of my Sword Dao Peak, and even the Sect Master of my Wen Dao Sect. When that time comes, when you look back, those ants will still be just ants!"
Although there was still an unerasable hint of hatred in Fang Yuxuan's eyes, his Master's words at this moment made his face radiate with a brilliance as if Rebirth!
"Master's teachings, Xuan'er will keep them in his heart! However, Xuan'er has a request!"
"Speak!"
"Xuan'er wants to take Jiang Yun's life with his own hands!"
"Hahaha!" Hearing Fang Yuxuan's request, Wei Zhengyang couldn't help but laugh aloud, "Good, good, good! This is indeed my Disciple, Wei Zhengyang! Don't worry, Master will save that country bumpkin's life for you!"
"Xuan'er bids farewell!"
Watching his beloved Disciple leave, Wei Zhengyang nodded and said, "Xuan'er's Heart Demon, in the final analysis, originated from Jiang Yun. As long as he personally kills Jiang Yun, he might be able to resolve his Heart Demon. Since that's the case, I'll let that Jiang Yun live a little longer. However, while he may be spared the death penalty, he won't escape punishment! At the very least, I'll give him a lesson to make him remember!"
"Zheng Yuan!"
As Wei Zhengyang spoke, a young man in green clothes, who looked about the same age as Fang Yuxuan, appeared before Wei Zhengyang. Although his appearance was ordinary, there was an unconcealable Killing Intent between his brows. He cupped his fists and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Peak Master!"
Although Zheng Yuan was an Inner Sect Disciple of Sword Dao Peak, he was not Wei Zhengyang's Disciple, so he addressed Wei Zhengyang as "Peak Master."
Wei Zhengyang nodded and said, "I have something I need you to do. If you do it well, I will take you as my Disciple!"
Zheng Yuan's eyes immediately lit up as he said, "Disciple will certainly do his best!"
"Go to Hidden Peak and vent your Senior Brother's anger. Remember, you cannot kill him!"
Zheng Yuan was slightly startled and said, "Peak Master, it's easy to vent Senior Brother's anger, but Hidden Peak..."
Before Zheng Yuan could finish speaking, Wei Zhengyang had already waved his hand and interrupted, "Dongfang Bo and Situ Jing left a few days ago. Now, only Jiang Yun is on Hidden Peak. This is a rare opportunity!"
A cold light flashed in Zheng Yuan's eyes as he said, "Disciple understands!"